Channel configuration in device-to-device communications

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a method of configuring a physical channel, such as a physical control channel, for device-to-device communication between mobile terminal devices within a cellular communications network environment and comprising a step of locating a device-to-device control channel within a cellular uplink signalling spectrum, and applying a frequency offset parameter to determine separation of the device-to-device control channel from a cellular uplink control channel, and to related terminal devices and computer program products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/449,338, filed Mar.3, 2017 entitled “Channel Configuration in Device-to-DeviceCommunications,” which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.14/774,492, filed Sep. 10, 2015, entitled “Channel Configuration inDevice-to-Device Communications,” which is a national stage applicationof International Application No. PCT/JP2015/053317 entitled “ChannelConfiguration in Device-to-Device Communications,” filed on Jan. 30,2015, which claims the benefit of priority from Great Britain PatentApplication No. 1401772.7, filed on Jan. 31, 2014, the contents of abovereferenced applications are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the allocation and configuration ofDevice-to-Device (D2D) channels for use by mobile radio communicationdevices such as User Equipments (UE) operating within a cellularcommunications network environment. In particular the invention relatesto a method of configuring D2D channels within such an environment, amethod of operating a UE to achieve such configuration, and related UEdevices and computer programming products providing for suchconfiguration.

BACKGROUND ART

The concept of proximity based services (ProSe) within a cellularcommunications network environment has been identified as a mechanismfor improving communication capacity and quality for service for UEsoperating within such an environment while improving network capabilityby UEs off-loading. D2D communication is intended to allow forappropriate quality of service communication, between UEs operatingwithin a cellular network environment and employing some networkresources but not requiring communication through the network.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Recent developments and discussions within the 3rd GenerationPartnership Product (3GPP) community have identified requirements forD2D functionality and which include in particular the support of unicastcommunications between UEs, for example UE pairs, in D2D communicationor the support of broadcast or groupcast communications between UEs, forexample from some UE towards other UEs.

However, current proposals remain limited and, while some potentialfeatures have been identified and discussed, proposals for variousaspects such as the configuration of physical channel resources remainlimited and as yet undeveloped.

Such known discussions have centred on potential core systemassumptions. That is, while potential agreement has been reached that acell's uplink spectrum should be used for D2D communication, there arecurrently only proposals that the allocation of radio resources for D2Dcommunication be centralised within the cell base station (eNB) orCluster Head of the cluster of terminal devices. Also a further proposalis that the assignment of resources for D2D communication be performedwith reference to the legacy Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)of the cellular network. Yet further it has also been discussed thatmultiplexing between cellular uplink and D2D transmissions, that iseither data and/or control-related information, within a common subframecan be employed and that a specific Physical Control Channel beintroduced for D2D communication (P2CCH) to carry control informationdirectly between the UEs engaged in D2D communication, i.e. theso-called peer UEs of a D2D pair. Such a proposed P2CCH D2D channel cansupport functionality such as a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)mechanism for the exchange of Ack/Nack feedback between the peer UEs, orfor the estimate of radio conditions between the peer UEs, such as theexchange of Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) information.

Further, in addition to the newly proposed control channel, a newPhysical Shared Channel is illustrated for D2D communication (P2SCH) forthe transport of data, such as user data or user signalling, directlybetween the peer UEs.

In relation to such proposals, there are different suggestions forresource allocation/configuration in relation to D2D communicationscenarios within cellular communication networks. However currentsuggestions exhibit inefficiencies and tend to have an undesired impacton the cellular environment and in particular in relation to the legacyPhysical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and base station (eNB)functionality of a cell.

One such known system is disclosed in WO2012/159270 and which comprisesa mechanism for allocating communication resources of a cellularcommunication network to D2D communication but which isdisadvantageously limited and simply focuses on legacy radio resources,such as the frequency-band and resource-pool to be employed for D2Dcommunication.

The present invention seeks to provide for a method of configuringchannel resources to convey control information for D2D communicationwithin a cellular communications network environment, and to relatedmobile communication terminal devices and computer program products,having advantages over known such method related devices and computerprogramme products.

Solution to Problem

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of configuring a physical channel, such as a physical controlchannel, for device-to-device communication between mobile terminaldevices within a cellular communications network environment andcomprising a step of locating a device-to-device control channel withina cellular uplink signalling spectrum, and applying a frequency offsetparameter to determine separation of the device-to-device controlchannel from a cellular uplink control channel.

In particular, the step of locating the device-to-device control channelcan be determined within one of the said mobile terminal devices.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of operating a mobile terminal device for device-to-devicecommunication within a cellular network environment and including,within the device, the step of locating a device-to device controlchannel within a cellular uplink signalling spectrum, and applying afrequency offset parameter to determine separation of thedevice-to-device control channel from a cellular uplink control channel.

The present invention, in all its various aspects, proves advantageouswhen considering possible impact on cellular connectivity within thenetwork environment, and the legacy PUCCH in particular. It provespossible in particular to maintain downlink cellular capacity, and avoidradio interference between the legacy PUCCH and the configured P2CCH,through setting the said frequency offset to establish the appropriatedistance/separation between the two control channels.

Further, the invention will exert only limited impact on an eNBscheduler through the effective separation of the D2D and cellularcontrols, i.e. through the provision of separate scheduling.

Also, only limited added functionality and/or complexity need arise atthe mobile terminal device, due to adoption of legacy cellular-channelcalculation algorithms as described further herein.

Yet further, it can advantageously prove possible to maintain singlecarrier characteristics for SC-FDMA transmission in all channels andthereby avoiding PUSCH fractioning.

Of course the offset value can be established in the context of ResourceBlocks.

The methods can also include the step of identifying the bandwidth ofthe device-to-device control channel.

Preferably, the methods include a step of determining the frequencyoffset by reference to cellular network uplink/downlink signalling.

Advantageously, the step of determining the frequency offset parametercan include an adaption of an algorithm employed for determiningphysical uplink control channel characteristics within the cellularnetwork environment.

Further, the terminal device can receive data identifying the locationof the device-to-device control channel by way of Radio Resource ControlSIB messaging.

If required, the methods can also include the step of identifying commonconfiguration parameter values between terminal devices. Advantageouslythe common configuration parameter values can be computed by means of amessage exchange, such as a random channel access procedure between twomobile terminal devices.

Also, the common configuration parameter values can be determined on thebasis of RRC SIB signalling in which neighbouring cell parameters arebroadcast.

The methods can thus be provided, for configuration of a mobile terminaldevice when served by a different cell of that of another mobileterminal device within a Radio Access Network.

The methods can also be provided relation to a mobile terminal deviceoutside RAN coverage of that of another mobile terminal device includingthe configuration of physical control channel for the device-to-devicecommunication by way of a previously camped-on cell, or by way of apre-set value in the USIM.

If required, the method can include the step of employing a discoverybeacon for transport of device-to-device channel location parametersbetween the mobile terminals, and/or include the step of employinginitial access signalling within a legacy random access procedure forthe exchange of initial access messaging.

Also, the method can include the step of employing a X2message/parameter for network-node to network-node communications forbuilding neighbouring cell physical channel parameters.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda cellular communications network mobile terminal device arranged fordevice-to-device communication with a further mobile terminal device andarranged for locating a device-to-device control channel within acellular uplink signalling spectrum, and applying a frequency offsetparameter to determine separation of the device-to-device controlchannel from a cellular uplink control channel.

Such a device can be arranged to operate in accordance with any one ormore of the method features noted above.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a computer program product for a computer device, comprisingsoftware code portions for performing the steps of any of the abovemethod features when said product is run on the computer device.

Also, the computer program product can comprise a computer-readablemedium on which said software code portions are stored.

Likewise, the computer program product of the invention can be directlyloadable into the internal memory of the computer device and/ortransmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, downloadand push procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is now described further, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating D2D communication betweenpeer UEs within a cellular network environment in which the inventioncan be adapted;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of successive subframesillustrating configuration according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of successive subframesillustrating configuration according to another aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a subframe exhibiting configurationaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a signalling diagram illustrating transmission sequence forlegacy network transmissions and D2D communication;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of subframe configuration accordingto a further feature of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a mobile radio communicationsterminal device arranged to operate in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of “FIG. 5.4.3-1: Mapping to physicalresource blocks for PUCCH” disclosed in section 5.4 of 3GPP TS 36.211.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is provided a schematic representation ofterminal devices within a cellular communication network environment 10and comprising a base station device in the form of an eNB 12, a firstmobile radio communications terminal device such as a first UE 14 and asecond such mobile radio communications device such as a second UE 16.

As illustrated by the signalling to be discussed further below, thefirst and second UEs 14, 16 are arranged to exchange cellular uplink anddownlink signalling with the eNB 12 by way of uplink and downlinkcontrol and shared channels in accordance with cellular communicationfunctionality. In addition, and in accordance with the field of thepresent invention, the UEs 14, 16, are also arranged for D2Dcommunication with advantageously reduced/limited impact on the cellularnetwork resources. Schematically illustrate therefore are uplinkcontrol/data channels PUCCH/PUSCH 18 for uplink control/data trafficfrom the first 14 and second 16 UEs to the eNB 12. There are alsoschematic illustrated downlink control/data channels PDCCH/PDSCH 20 forreceipt at each of the UEs 14, 16 of data from the network, i.e. eNB 12.

As noted, the UEs 14, 16 are also arranged to form a UE pair for mutualD2D communication and, in this context, and on the basis of the conceptof the present invention, D2D control information 22, such as HARQfeedback signalling, can be exchanged between the two UEs 14, 16 by wayof a physical control channel, and D2D data can be exchanged 24 betweenthe two UEs 14, 16 by way of a physical shared data channel. Suchcontrol and data channels are specific to the D2D communications andwithin the present application are identified as P2CCH and P2SCHrespectively.

While a single cell common Radio Access Network (RAN) is illustratedwith reference to FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that the presentinvention can be employed by a D2D UE pair according to various networkconfiguration scenarios. That is, in addition to adoption in relation toa UE pair such as operating under Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) orTime Division Duplex (TDD) RAN coverage in an intra-cell scenario suchas that in FIG. 1, where both UEs 14, 16 are served by a single cell,the invention also finds use in relation to an inter-cell coveragescenario in which the UEs are served by different cells/eNBs.

Yet further, the invention can also be adopted in relation to UEsoperating outside RAN coverage as discussed further herein but stillallowing for the exchange of D2D data between a UE pair by way ofunicast communication.

It should also be appreciated from the above summary of the presentinvention and the following discussions, that the invention isadvantageous in providing for management of the coexistence of legacyuplink channels PUCCH, PUSCH, and D2D channels P2CCH, P2SCH within theuplink band spectrum consisting of PUCCH and PUSCH. As a particularadvantage, the invention allows for both UE devices within a D2D UEspair to identify the location of radio resources in time and/orfrequency, at which transmission/reception should be attempted in theuplink band so as to access the D2D control information related to thatD2D UEs pair link. Also, the invention allows for the cellular networknode device, such as the eNB, to discriminate between transmissions onthe legacy uplink channels from those on the D2D channels and, ingeneral terms, allows for the reduction in potential interferencebetween the channels and impact of one on the other.

With regard to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, there are illustrated schematicrepresentations of the structure of adjacent subframes and relatedResource Blocks providing for adoption of the P2CCH and P2SCH channelswithin the context of the present invention for D2D communication andparticularly for coexistence with the legacy uplink control and shareddata channels, PUCCH, PUSCH.

Turning first to FIG. 2, the Resource Blocks considered in the frequencydomain and within the adjacent subframes 26, 28, within their frequencyspectrum, are divided between PUCCH channel element 30, D2D P2CCHchannel element 32 for D2D control information exchanges between the D2DUEs pair, a PUSCH channel 34 for cellular network data uplink exchanges,and a D2D P2SCH channel 36 for D2D data exchanges between that pair.

FIG. 2 illustrates the coexistence between the uplink and D2D channelson a Frequency Division Multiplex basis such that Resource Blocks of theadjacent subsequent subframe 28 exhibit the same characteristics as thepreceding subframe 26.

Turning now to FIG. 3, there is provided similar structural diagram ofadjacent subframes 38, 40 within a series and again, by reference to thefrequency spectrum, being divided between uplink control channel PUCCHportions 42, D2D control channel P2CCH portions 44 and 46, in thisparticular example, Uplink and/or D2D shared channels PUSCH/P2SCH fordata exchanges. Again, the structure of the subsequent subframe 40mirrors that of the initial subframe 38 so as to represent a full FDMscenario within the uplink channel spectrum between the uplink and D2Dcontrol PUCCH/P2CCH and data PUSCH/P2SCH channels.

While it would be possible to employ time division multiplexing for thecoexistence of the uplink and D2D control and data channels, such anarrangement may exhibit a more restricted operation as regards legacyPUCCH bandwidth availability, and increased latency, for the respectivecontrol channels, or can further inhibit the flexibility of the eNB individing the uplink spectrum bandwidth between the D2D uplinktransmissions and thus adapting to network load.

One particular example of an arrangement for arriving at an FDM subframestructure such as illustrated in particular with reference to FIG. 3, isnow described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates in particular the adoption of new system parametersserving to define the location of the P2CCH channel for the D2Dcommunication.

The location of this D2D control channel P2CCH is advantageously definedby way of two parameters, referenced to the frequency spectrum employedby uplink Resource Blocks and first comprising a frequency offsetparameter by means of which the D2D control channel P2CCH is offsetrelative to the legacy uplink control channel PUCCH, and also the actualD2D control channel P2CCH bandwidth. Such parameters are shown in FIG. 4which illustrates in the context of one subframe, a Resource Block 38encompassing a frequency spectrum (not shown) in a vertical direction asillustrated in FIG. 3 and, as previously noted, employing uplink controlchannel portions 42, D2D control channel portions 44 and shared generalportion 46 for uplink and/or D2D data.

As illustrated by the arrows P2CCH_Off associated with each of theuplink control channel regions 42, the D2D control channel 44 is offset,in accordance with the frequency division multiplexing requirements,relative to the uplink control channel 42. The second parametercomprises the bandwidth of the D2D control channel 44 which, in FIG. 4is illustrated by double-headed arrow P2CCH_BW.

Thus, the D2D parameters P2CCH_Off and P2CCH_BW serve to define thelocation, through frequency offset, and bandwidth, of each of the D2Dcontrol channels 44. The remainder of the Resource Block spectrum thennot employed by the UE respective uplink and D2D control channels 42, 44is available for the shared communication channel 46. Of course thealternative of FIG. 2 with respective FDM D2D and uplink shared datachannels can be similarly employed.

As noted previously, the parameters exhibited by the present inventioncan also be employed in accordance with different network radio coveragescenarios.

In particular, for the radio coverage scenario in which the D2D UEs pairare within network coverage, the parameters tend to be unique to eachcell and the values are provided to camped-on UEs through the radioresource control SIB signalling. That is, for intra-cell coverage whereboth of the D2D UEs pair are within the same cell, both UEs can computethe location of the Resource Blocks, and the number of allocatedResource Blocks to be used, by running an algorithm which can be such asthat employed for identification of the Resource Blocks in the PUCCHchannel, and adding the aforementioned P2CCH_Off value to the outcome.

For a radio coverage scenario in which the D2D UEs pair are ininter-cell coverage, the D2D UEs pair are likely to have differentvalues for the offset and bandwidth parameters duplet and so a commonduplet should be identified. As outlined further below, such commonduplet can be defined by reference to the intersection of the two P2CCHzones, and the P2CCH_BW parameters can be advantageously employed forcomputing such a common duplet.

Further details of determining the parameters employed within theinvention and the common duplet are outlined further below. However,with regard to an out-of-coverage network scenario, the D2D UEs pair mayalso exhibit different values for the duplet, which can arise frompre-set values, or previously received values when under networkcoverage, and a similar procedure to that adopted in relation to theinter-cell coverage to determine a common duplet as discussed furtherbelow can be employed.

A further feature of the invention relates to a procedure for arecipient UE in a D2D UEs pair to position/assign an appropriate P2CHHchannel for the transfer of control information such as D2D HARQfeedback signalling.

Various forms of algorithm are possible for such location/assignmentalthough one particularly advantageous embodiment is based uponalgorithms employed for the assignment of, for example, control channelradio resources of the legacy PUCCH channel based upon informationconcerning the location of assigned information in the legacy downlinkcontrol channel PDCCH.

Such legacy algorithm and the associated assignment/location is knownfrom legacy LTE systems such as disclosed in 3GPP TechnicalSpecification TS 36.211 in section 5.4 the full content of which isincorporated herein by reference, and but for completeness, theprincipal sections are outlined below as follows:

5.4.3 Mapping to Physical Resources

The block of complex-valued symbols z(i) shall be multiplied with theamplitude scaling factor β_(PUCCH) in order to conform to the transmitpower β_(PUCCH) specified in Section 5.1.2.1 in [4], and mapped insequence starting with z(0) to resource elements. PUCCH uses oneresource block in each of the two slots in a subframe. Within thephysical resource block used for transmission, the mapping of z(i) toresource elements (k,l) not used for transmission of reference signalsshall be in increasing order of first k, then l and finally the slotnumber, starting with the first slot in the subframe.

The physical resource blocks to be used for transmission of PUCCH inslot n_(s) are given by

$n_{PRB} = \left\{ \begin{matrix}\left\lfloor \frac{m}{2} \right\rfloor & {{{if}\mspace{14mu}\left( {m + {n_{s}{mod}\; 2}} \right)\;{mod}\; 2} = 0} \\{N_{RB}^{UL} - 1 - \left\lfloor \frac{m}{2} \right\rfloor} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu}\left( {m + {n_{s}\;{mod}\; 2}} \right)\;{mod}\; 2} = 1}\end{matrix} \right.$

where the variable m depends on the PUCCH format. For formats 1, 1a and1b

$\begin{matrix}{m = \left\{ {{\begin{matrix}N_{RB}^{(2)} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} n_{PUCCH}^{(1)}} < {c \cdot {N_{cs}^{(1)}/\Delta_{shift}^{PUCCH}}}} \\\begin{matrix}{\left\lfloor \frac{n_{PUCCH}^{(1)} - {c \cdot {N_{cs}^{(1)}/\Delta_{shift}^{PUCCH}}}}{c \cdot {N_{sc}^{RB}/\Delta_{shift}^{PUCCH}}} \right\rfloor +} \\{N_{RB}^{(2)} + \left\lceil \frac{N_{cs}^{(1)}}{8} \right\rceil}\end{matrix} & {otherwise}\end{matrix}\mspace{79mu} c} = \left\{ \begin{matrix}3 & {{normal}\mspace{14mu}{cyclic}\mspace{14mu}{prefix}} \\2 & {{extended}\mspace{14mu}{cyclic}\mspace{14mu}{prefix}}\end{matrix} \right.} \right.} & \;\end{matrix}$

and for formats 2, 2a and 2bm=└n _(PUCCH) ⁽²⁾ /N _(sc) ^(RB)┘

Mapping of modulation symbols for the physical uplink control channel isillustrated in FIG. 5.4.3-1.

In case of simultaneous transmission of sounding reference signal andPUCCH format 1, 1a or 1b, one SC-FDMA symbol on PUCCH shall punctured.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of “FIG. 5.4.3-1: Mapping to physicalresource blocks for PUCCH” disclosed in section 5.4 of 3GPP TS 36.211

For the D2D communication arising in relation to the present invention,the assigned/location of the required P2CCH is derived from the use ofsuch known algorithm wherein both UEs in a D2D pair receive theassignment for the D2D transmission for data, and the UE receiving thedata is arranged to run the aforementioned legacy algorithm whichprovides a “virtual” Resource Blocks location in the physical uplinkcontrol channel. The receiving UE can then add the aforementioned offsetP2CCH_Off value to the outcome of the algorithm within the frequencyspectrum as disclosed in relation to FIG. 4 so as to move to the“effective” computed Resources Blocks in the P2CCH zone.

An example of the transmission sequence arising between an eNB and a D2DUE pair, for both the legacy signalling, and for D2D control channelconfiguration according to an embodiment of the present invention is nowdiscussed further with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 represents a timing diagram within a frequency spectrum (verticalaccess but not specifically illustrated) encompassing both a downlinkcarrier and uplink carrier and also illustrating the UE Resource Blocksappearing within a series of subframes 50, 52, 54 relating, as noted, toboth the legacy signalling and the D2D control and data channel P2CCH,P2SCH signalling within the legacy uplink spectrum.

Within subframe 50, and within the downlink carrier spectrum, there isprovided a physical downlink channel 56 within which a eNB (not shown)assigns a Resource Block 58 for downlink traffic and within which theeNB also assigns a Resource Block 64 for D2D communication between firstand second UEs of a D2D pair. The subframe 50, also includes a ResourceBlock 62 representing a downlink shared channel by means of which theeNB sends data 64 related to the RB assignment 58 to the UE.

With regard to the legacy elements of the signalling, a downlink HARQresource location algorithm is applied so as to identify a portionwithin PUCCH channel 66 employed by a first UE while sending HARQfeedback 68 on downlink reception at the first UE. Within the nextsubframe 52 illustrated, a physical control channel 70 is calculated onthe basis of the legacy algorithm as discussed above. However, withregard to the Resource Block 64 assigned by the eNB for D2Dcommunication, the first UE sends D2D data 74 to the second UE withinthe D2D pair. Referring to the Resource Block structure within thesubframe 54, there is again provided a physical uplink control channel76, and a physical control channel 78, for D2D communication andassociated shared data channel 80. Referring again to the assignment bythe eNB of the Resource Block 64 D2D communication, the adapted D2D HARQresource location algorithm is applied to provide for the required HARQsignalling 82 on D2D reception.

Although, within the context of the control channel signalling,reference is made above to the HARQ mechanism, it should be appreciatedthat the subject matter of the present invention could equally beimplemented in relation to any other required control information, suchas for example CQI information.

As also discussed above, the present invention is not limited solely toD2D UE pairs operating D2D communication within the same cell, andinter-cell, or indeed out-of-coverage, adoption of the concept of thepresent invention can also be achieved.

An appropriate interworking rule is proposed to cover embodimentsrelating to inter-cell, or out-of-coverage, D2D communication for a UEpair. In both instances, the two UEs in the D2D pair do not exhibit thesame duplet, i.e. offset value and/or control channel bandwidth, sincethey are camping on different cells. However, to allow for the D2Dcommunication, both UEs can be arranged to compute theintersection/overlap of their respective P2CCH zones to identify acommon duplet and such feature is described further with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6 illustrates Resource Block structures for first 84, and second 86UEs within a D2D UE pair, and both of which include functionalityaccording to a feature of the present invention so as to provide for avirtual common Resource Block configuration 88 as illustrated.

The basic structure illustrated within the sub-frames for each of thetwo UEs 84, 86 is based upon a feature of an embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated with reference to FIG. 4. As such, they providefor a FDM scheme within the frequency spectrum of the legacy uplinkchannel, and wherein the Resource Block structure includes uplinkcontrol channel zones, offset derived D2D control channel zones, andshared data channels for uplink and/or D2D communication as required.

However, as illustrated, in view of the differences arising from the twoUEs 84, 86 camping on different cells, there is quite likely to be alack of coincidence between the respective boundaries of the respectiveD2D control channels P2CCH. That is, UE 84 exhibits an upper boundaryfor its D2D control channel equivalent to “offset 1+bandwidth 1”; and UE86 exhibits an upper boundary for its D2D control channel P2CCH of“offset 2+bandwidth 2” where respective “offset 1”, 94 and “offset 2”,96 are determined relative to the legacy uplink control channels PUCCHas discussed above.

In order to arrive at the common configuration structure 88, the upperboundary is determined as the minimum of the two values 90, 92, whereasthe lower boundary is determined as the maximum of the two offset values94, 96 and as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 6.

Applying such combined limits leads to a common P2CCH control channel 98as illustrated and so allows for adoption of the mechanism of thepresent invention for inter-cell and out-of-coverage scenarios.

Turning now to FIG. 7, there is provided a schematic illustration of amobile terminal device offering communication over cellular network andcomprising for example, a UE 100 of a D2D UE pair.

The UE 100 includes standard functionality such as atransmission/reception interface comprising an antenna 102 andtransmission/reception circuitry 104 in addition to memory functionality106, processor functionality 108 and a user interface 110.

In accordance with the present invention, the processor functionality108 includes means for achieving the required channel configurationaccording to the present invention so as to enable the D2D communicationexchanges exhibiting the advantages presented by the invention. That is,the processor functionality 108 can be arranged to determine and/orapply parameter values arising in accordance with the present inventionand serving to identify the frequency offset values and bandwidth valuesas discussed.

In particular, the processor functionality 108 can be arranged todetermine the aforementioned frequency offset value by reference tolegacy algorithms determining initial physical Resource Blocks forcontrol information transportation and applying the required frequencyoffset to the results obtained therefrom. In this manner, such D2D UE100 can determine the location of the required physical Resource Blocksfor the transport of D2D control information, although it should beappreciated here that other mathematical operation, i.e. sum,subtraction etc. can be employed.

As will also be appreciated, various mechanisms exist for supporting thesignalling exchange for the D2D control channel system parametersaccording to the present invention, and which can relate to theparticular network terminal and/or node devices involved in thesignalling exchange.

For example, while for exchanges between a terminal node such as eNB anda mobile terminal such as a UE, RRC System Information Broadcast (SIB)messages/parameters can be employed, an eNB can broadcast its own cellparameter set. Also the eNB can broadcast a parameter set ofneighbouring cells if required and which can prove useful forout-of-coverage embodiments as discussed above.

For communication between the UEs, it can of course prove necessary tosupply data for computing the common configuration features such asdiscussed in relation to FIG. 6. Here, transport options include use ofa discovery beacon to convey P2CCH parameters and/or the use of initialaccess signalling in legacy random access procedures such as the D2D UEpair exchanging initial access messaging including their specific P2CCHparameters. Other alternative option is that specific P2CCH parameterset data can be employed and also, if required, a camped-on cellidentity can prove advantageous in allowing retrieval of a parameter setin the neighbouring cell P2CCH parameters within the SIB.

For network terminal node, e.g. eNB to eNB, signalling, use can be madeof X2 interface messages/parameters which can also prove useful forbuilding neighbouring cell P2CCH messages/parameters as required.

As will therefore be appreciated from the above, the present inventionprovides for an advantageous scheme that can be readily embodied withina channel configuration procedure, terminal device operation procedure,and related computer program product, to advantageously allow for D2Dcapable UEs to determine which part of the legacy uplink band can beadvantageously dynamically used for D2D, and P2CCH purposes inparticular.

It should be appreciated that in particular there can be provided systemparameters to define the location of a proposed P2CCH channel, suchparameters comprising:

P2CCH Frequency Offset employed to compute the frequency shifting fromlegacy PUCCH and hence get the P2CCH lower boundary if the offset isadded to the PUCCH lower boundary; and

P2CCH bandwidth employed to get the P2CCH upper boundary.

A particular algorithm function can be employed for location of physicalresource blocks for D2D physical control channel, and such proposedalgorithm can be based on legacy LTE algorithm found in TechnicalSpecification 36.211 as noted above. After running the legacy algorithmto find initial physical resource blocks to transport controlinformation, P2CCH Frequency Offset can be used to allow the D2D UEs tofind physical resource blocks to transport D2D control information. Ofcourse it should be appreciated that other mathematical operation couldbe used such as sum, subtraction, etc.

Further exemplary detail of the manner and transfer of physical controlinformation can be as suggested by 3GPP Technical Specification 36.213,the content of which is again incorporated herein by reference.

Suggested signalling options for P2CCH system parameters can comprisethe use of RRC signalling to provide the proposed system parameters: SIBor dedicated RRC messages, and such parameters could also bepre-configured in the UEs: pre-set by the network operator in USIM orpredefined by the 3GPP specifications.

The advantageous adoption of the above-mentioned interworkingcomputation rule for non matching cell-derived parameter can focus uponthe intersection of the P2CCH zones computed from the P2CCH FrequencyOffset and P2CCH bandwidth parameters could be chosen to find the commonduplet used by UEs which have been provided different P2CCHconfiguration. Of course, any other rule using the P2CCH FrequencyOffset and P2CCH bandwidth parameters could also be used such as unionrule, sum rule etc.

The signalling for such interworking can allow for the exchange of theproposed system parameters between eNB using X2 interface. Further, theproposed system parameters could also be exchanged between UEs usingdiscovery beacons or legacy radio access signalling between D2D UEs.

The efficient dynamic operation and assignment of D2D channel resourcesaccording to the present invention is achieved in a particularadvantageous manner. In particular, there is little if any limitingimpact on legacy PUCCH, and hence it remains possible to maintaindownlink cellular capacity.

Further, radio interference between legacy PUCCH and P2CCH can readilybe avoided by setting P2CCH_Off to create the right separation/distancebetween the two channels. There is also an advantageously limited impacton eNB scheduler through the persistent availability of cellular controlsignalling whose scheduling can be separated from D2D scheduling.

There is also only limited added complexity from the UE point of view,particularly when considering reuse of the legacy algorithm.

Finally it remains possible to maintain Single Carrier characteristicsfor SC-FDMA transmission in all channels and thus minimizing as much aspossible PUSCH fractioning.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromUnited Kingdom patent application No. 1401772.7, filed on Jan. 31, 2014,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

The whole or part of the embodiments disclosed above can be describedas, but not limited to the following supplementary notes.

[Supplementary Note 1]

A method of configuring a physical channel for device-to-devicecommunication between mobile terminal devices within a cellularcommunications network environment and comprising a step of locating adevice-to-device control channel within a cellular uplink signallingspectrum, and applying a frequency offset parameter to determineseparation of the device-to-device control channel from a cellularuplink control channel.

[Supplementary Note 2]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 1, and including the step of,identifying a bandwidth parameter of the device-to-device controlchannel.

[Supplementary Note 3]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 1 or 2, and including the stepof determining the frequency offset by reference to cellular networkcontrol channel.

[Supplementary Note 4]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 3, wherein the step ofdetermining the device-to-device physical radio resource blocks from thefrequency offset parameter by including an adaption of an algorithmemployed for determining physical uplink control channel characteristicswithin the cellular network environment.

[Supplementary Note 5]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 1-4, andlocation of the device-to-device control channel is determined withinone of the said mobile terminal devices.

[Supplementary Note 6]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 1-5,wherein said parameters identifying the location of the device-to-devicecontrol channel are delivered to the terminal devices by way of RadioResource Control cell broadcast so called as SIB or terminal dedicatedSIB messaging.

[Supplementary Note 7]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 1-5, andincluding the step of identifying common configuration parameters valuesbetween the said terminal devices.

[Supplementary Note 8]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 7, wherein the commonconfiguration parameters values are computed by means of messagesexchanges between two mobile terminal devices.

[Supplementary Note 9]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 7, wherein the commonconfiguration parameter values are determined on the basis of RRC SIBsignalling in which neighbouring cell parameters are broadcast.

[Supplementary Note 10]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 7-9, andproviding configuration of the mobile terminal devices when served bydifferent cells within a Radio Access Network.

[Supplementary Note 11]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 1-6, andfor mobile terminal devices outside RAN coverage, and including theconfiguration of a physical control channel for the device-to-devicecommunication by way of a previously camped-on cell, or by way of apre-set value in the USIM.

[Supplementary Note 12]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 1-11, andincluding the step of employing a discovery beacon for transport ofdevice-to-device channel location parameters between the mobileterminals.

[Supplementary Note 13]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 1-11, andincluding the step of employing initial access signalling within alegacy random access procedure for the exchange of device-to-devicechannel location parameters.

[Supplementary Note 14]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 1-13, andincluding step of employing an X2 message/parameter for network node tonetwork node communications for providing serving cell physical channelparameters.

[Supplementary Note 15]

A method of operating a mobile terminal device for device-to-devicecommunication within a cellular network environment and including,within the device, the step of locating a device-to device controlchannel within a cellular uplink spectrum, and applying a frequencyoffset parameter to determine separation of the device-to-device controlchannel from a cellular uplink control channel.

[Supplementary Note 16]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 15, and also including thestep of identifying the bandwidth of the device-to-device controlchannel.

[Supplementary Note 17]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 15 or 16, and including thestep of determining the frequency offset by reference to cellularnetwork control channel.

[Supplementary Note 18]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 15-17,wherein the step of determining device-to-device physical radio resourceblocks from the frequency offset parameter comprises including anadaption of an algorithm employed for determining physical uplinkcontrol channel characteristics within the cellular network environment.

[Supplementary Note 19]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 15-18,wherein the terminal device receives said parameters identifying thelocation of the device-to-device control channel by way of RadioResource Control SIB messaging.

[Supplementary Note 20]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 15-19, andincluding the step of identifying common configuration parameter valuesbetween terminal devices.

[Supplementary Note 21]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 20, wherein the commonconfiguration parameter values are computed by means of a messageexchange, such as a random channel access procedure between two mobileterminal devices.

[Supplementary Note 22]

A method as claimed in Supplementary note 20, wherein the commonconfiguration parameter values are determined on the basis of RRC SIBsignalling in which neighbouring cell parameters are broadcast.

[Supplementary Note 23]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 20-22, forconfiguration of a mobile terminal device when served by a differentcell of that of another mobile terminal device within a Radio AccessNetwork.

[Supplementary Note 24]

A method as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes 15-20, inrelation to a mobile terminal device outside RAN coverage of that ofanother mobile terminal device including the configuration of physicalcontrol channel for the device-to-device communication by way of apreviously camped-on cell, or by way of a pre-set value in the USIM.

[Supplementary Note 25]

A cellular communications network mobile terminal device arranged fordevice-to-device communication with a further mobile terminal device andarranged for locating a device-to-device control channel within acellular uplink spectrum, and applying a frequency offset parameter todetermine separation of the device-to-device control channel from acellular uplink control channel.

[Supplementary Note 26]

A terminal device as claimed in Supplementary note 25, and arranged toidentify a bandwidth of the device-to-device control channel.

[Supplementary Note 27]

A terminal device as claimed in Supplementary note 25 or 26, andarranged to determine the frequency offset by reference to cellularnetwork control channel.

[Supplementary Note 28]

A terminal device as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes25-27, and arranged to determine device-to-device physical resourceblocks from the frequency offset parameter by way of algorithm employedfor determining physical uplink control channel within the cellularnetwork environment.

[Supplementary Note 29]

A terminal device as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes25-28, and arranged to receive said parameters identifying the locationof the device-to-device control channel by way of Radio Resource ControlSIB or terminal dedicated messaging.

[Supplementary Note 30]

A terminal device as claimed in any one or more of Supplementary notes25-29, and arranged for identifying configuration parameters common withanother terminal device.

[Supplementary Note 31]

A computer program product for a computer device, comprising softwarecode portions for performing the steps of any one of Supplementary notes1-24 when said product is run on the computer device.

[Supplementary Note 32]

A computer program product according to Supplementary note 31, whereinthe computer program product comprises a computer-readable medium onwhich said software code portions are stored.

[Supplementary Note 33]

A computer program product according to Supplementary note 31 or 32,wherein the computer program product is directly loadable into theinternal memory of the computer device and/or transmittable via anetwork by means of at least one of upload, download and pushprocedures.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 cellular communication network environment-   12 eNB 12-   14 first UE-   16 second UE-   100 UE-   102 antenna-   104 transmission/reception circuitry-   106 memory functionality-   108 processor functionality-   110 user interface

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a base stationconfigured to communicate with a first user equipment (UE) that isconfigured to communicate with the base station via a physical uplinkshared channel (PUSCH) and to communicate directly with a second UEusing a device-to-device control channel and a device-to-device sharedchannel, the method comprising: transmitting, to the first UE,device-to-device control channel configuration information foridentifying resource blocks to be used for the device-to-device controlchannel; wherein, based on the control channel configurationinformation, the first UE determines a resource to be used for thedevice-to-device control channel, and wherein the first UE performsdevice-to-device shared channel transmission in resource blocksadjacent, in a sub-frame, to the resource blocks used for thedevice-to-device control channel.
 2. A base station configured tocommunicate with a first user equipment (UE) that is configured tocommunicate with the base station via a physical uplink shared channel(PUSCH) and to communicate directly with a second UE using adevice-to-device control channel and a device-to-device shared channel,the base station comprising: a processor and a transceiver circuit,wherein the controller is configured to control the transceiver circuitto transmit, to the first UE, device-to-device control channelconfiguration information for identifying resource blocks to be used forthe device-to-device control channel; wherein, based on the controlchannel configuration information, the first UE determines a resource tobe used for the device-to-device control channel, and wherein the firstUE performs device-to-device shared channel transmission in resourceblocks adjacent, in a sub-frame, to the resource blocks used for thedevice-to-device control channel.
 3. A method performed by a userequipment (UE) that is configured to communicate with the base stationvia a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and to communicate directlywith another UE using a device-to-device control channel and adevice-to-device shared channel, the method comprising: receiving, fromthe base station, device-to-device control channel configurationinformation for identifying resource blocks to be used for thedevice-to-device control channel; determining, based on the controlchannel configuration information, at least one resource to be used forthe device-to-device control channel and transmitting thedevice-to-device shared channel in resource blocks adjacent, in asub-frame, to the resource blocks used for the device-to-device controlchannel.
 4. A user equipment (UE) that is configured to communicate withthe base station via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and tocommunicate directly with another UE using a device-to-device controlchannel and a device-to-device shared channel, the UE comprising: acontroller and a transceiver, wherein the controller is configured tocontrol the transceiver circuit to receive device-to-device controlchannel configuration information for identifying resource blocks to beused for the device-to-device control channel; to determine, based onthe control channel configuration information, at least one resource tobe used for the device-to-device control channel; and to control thetransceiver to transmit the device-to-device shared channel in resourceblocks adjacent, in a sub-frame, to the resource blocks used for thedevice-to-device control channel.